the goan I network
PORVORIM
Widespread concern over the number of dengue cases in other parts of the State is now being voiced in Porvorim, with 20 confirmed and suspected cases of dengue in and around Porvorim since
January.
The Porvorim PHC has recorded 11 confirmed cases and nine suspected cases of dengue from January till October.
While Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has expressed alarm over the number of dengue cases in his constituency, Porvorim Primary Health Centre (PHC) Health Officer Dr Sikandar Talwar has claimed the dengue cases in Porvorim constituency are comparatively lower than in other parts
of Goa.
In a letter to Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Khaunte said people in the State had been very scared regarding the spread of dengue in several parts of Goa, including Porvorim constituency.
“Recently, there has been a death of a youth from Panaji due to dengue, which is really alarming. This shows lapses of the part of authorities concerned who have failed to take necessary steps to control the further spread of
dengue.”
“It is surprising that in my constituency there have been about eight cases of suspected dengue,” said Khaunte, while adding that the patients are under treatment.
Listing out the names and places of these patients, Khaunte stated that one patient was from Devashree Garden, while three patients were from Saidham Housing Board in Porvorim. Four other patients included those from Krantinagar, Penha de Franca and Guirim.
“If an epidemic breaks out, it would be very difficult to control and may lead to many fatalities,” warned Khaunte.
The Porvorim MLA has appealed to the health minister to take urgent action and issue necessary directives to prevent further spread of dengue.
When contacted, Dr Talwar said dengue cases in Porvorim constituency were comparatively lower than in other parts of Goa.
“This is because the awareness activities and cleanliness drive by PHC before the onset of monsoon. PHC has done fogging in all schools and other areas,” said Dr Talwar.
“During the last 10 months, PHC has done 60 awareness activities, conducted 99 cleanliness drives and fogging in 141 areas, of which 70 alone were in schools, while 271 households have been issued notices.”
“The PHC has taken all required measures to prevent the spread of dengue. Some persons affected with dengue have been found working outside Porvorim. These persons could well have contracted dengue in their workplace. Cleanliness is very important to avoid spread of dengue,” Dr Talwar added.
Porvorim PHC to conduct rapid tests for dengue from tomorrow
PORVORIM: The Porvorim Primary Health Centre (PHC) will start conducting rapid tests for dengue cases in the health centre from Monday onwards.
Porvorim PHC Health Officer Dr Sikandar Talwar said as soon as they would come across a suspected case of dengue in their jurisdiction, they would forward the sample to the District Hospital at Mapusa for tests.
“We will receive the results within a week. The PHC has now purchased the Rapid Test NS1 kit for dengue and PHC will start testing samples of suspected dengue cases in the health centre from Monday onwards,” said Dr Talwar.
